Bungalow demolish and rebuild 3/4 bedroom house

Anaida9999

Hi

Has anyone in the West Bromwich/Birmingham area demolished a bungalow and rebuilt as a house, I am looking at a bungalow but it seems to add another floor or do it up would cost so much that it might be cheaper to rebuild it as a house. If anyone has done this can they advise how much it cost please and what builders they used?
The bungalow i am looking at costs 200k and i was quoted 150k plus to add another floor which seems high so I am thinking if I can buy the bungalow , demolish and rebuild for 150k as a house might be worth it?

Thanks

Dee

Section62

Anaida9999 said:

Hi

Has anyone in the West Bromwich/Birmingham area demolished a bungalow and rebuilt as a house, I am looking at a bungalow but it seems to add another floor or do it up would cost so much that it might be cheaper to rebuild it as a house. If anyone has done this can they advise how much it cost please and what builders they used?

Thanks

Dee

Before you get as far as cost estimates (anything older than a year won't be accurate anyway) the first issue is whether you are a cash buyer, or are you looking at a self-build mortgage?

Anaida9999

Hi Section62, i do have the cash to buy the bungalow so could do that but then would need a loan or borrow money in some other way if I am to rebuild a house on the bungalow site after its demolished just not sure how much a 3/4 bed house would cost to build exactly but have tried to get some quotes but would love to hear from people who have done this already in West Brom or surrounding areas in the Midlands

Section62

Anaida9999 said:

Hi Section62, i do have the cash to buy the bungalow so could do that but then would need a loan or borrow money in some other way if I am to rebuild a house on the bungalow site after its demolished just not sure how much a 3/4 bed house would cost to build exactly but have tried to get some quotes but would love to hear from people who have done this already in West Brom or surrounding areas in the Midlands

Ok, so you are effectively looking at a self-build type project then?  If so, you might get better ideas from a dedicated SB forum or site - the costs will vary depending on the type of house you want to finish up with, and how you go about getting the work done.  That's likely to be more important than the location, at least in terms of any urban area in England (with the exception of central/inner London).

canaldumidi

and before going too far, how confidant are you about getting Planning Consent (for either option)?

Anaida9999

I am hoping planning consent should not be an issue as there is only one house nearby and there are several houses on the estate that have been rebuilt so not sure why I could not do the same

ProDave

As a rough guide, you would do very well to build for less than £2000 per square metre now, so your £150K might get you a 75 square metre house, which is pretty tiny.

Anaida9999

hmm seems then cheaper to just a house for 350k then demolish and rebuild

Woolsery

Adding another floor to an existing bungalow may be full of unknowns and more expensive than getting the same usable floor area from an extension.

Demolition could be a solution, but don't forget the cost of removing waste, which isn't inconsiderable these days.

I'd guess the site must be special or you'd make life easier by buyiong an existing 3 bed house?

Section62

Anaida9999 said:

I am hoping planning consent should not be an issue as there is only one house nearby and there are several houses on the estate that have been rebuilt so not sure why I could not do the same

You'd need to either ask the planners for an informal opinion, or speak to a planning consultant, rather than just hope you'd get planning consent because other people have.

Planning consent given in the past for a different property isn't a good indicator of whether or not consent would be given in a current case, as planning policy and priorities change over time.  E.g. since the other properties were given consent the local planning authority might have identified a shortage of smaller properties/bungalows available for older people and people downsizing, and introduced a presumption against bungalow->4 bed house conversions/rebuilds.

Woolsery

Section62 said:

Anaida9999 said:

I am hoping planning consent should not be an issue as there is only one house nearby and there are several houses on the estate that have been rebuilt so not sure why I could not do the same

You'd need to either ask the planners for an informal opinion, or speak to a planning consultant, rather than just hope you'd get planning consent because other people have.

Just to add that informal opinions which were once free now cost £160 where I am. Given that our council is generally helpful, I expect it's similar elsewhere.